“The audience was electrified by his energy as soon as he stepped on the podium. With impulsive gestures, Jukka-Pekka Saraste raised a storm from the explosive WDR Symphony Orchestra … with their perfect synergy, conductor and orchestra prove themselves to be a highly versatile chameleon.”

“The Oslo Philharmonic’s sole Conductor Laureate possesses a closeness and an under-standing for his compatriot’s music which does not render the mysticism alienating – nor the lyrical affected.

Completely free of the sentimentality which lies within, he captures the whole and reveals the paths to the Finnish forests – and the unfathomable depths which carry within them a strong existential appeal.”

“…an unexpected triumph; the audience went wild … Jukka-Pekka Saraste has made it his mission in life to make his compatriot more popular and virtually proselytised his musicians to this effect. The WDR Symphony Orchestra’s sound and playing culture was sensational”

“Saraste’s familiarity with the Lemminkäinen Suite op. 22 by Sibelius was evidenced by an abundance of sceneries unfolding with exquisite dynamics and tone colours, realised by the WDR Symphony Orchestra with great understanding of this fantastical subject. As ever, The Swan of Tuonela in particular made a lasting impression.”

“In Tchaikovsky’s 6th Symphony – the “Pathétique” – Jukka-Pekka Saraste assumed a very clear approach…with a very sober tone and subdued emotions, and maybe precisely because of this, achieved an incredibly impressive overall effect. No laments in the outer movements, no worldly melancholy in the waltz, no infernal cheers of triumph in the march. … a surprising performance”